Independent participatory media for Iran

The head of Iran’s expediency council says that while he supports Hassan Rohani, the president made campaign promises about political and social liberties that go beyond the limits of his executive power.

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani

In an interview published in the Aftob daily on Saturday March 14, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani said: “Political issues and freedoms are not in his hands. Of course, he promised more than his executive power allows. These things are not in his hands.”

He stressed, however, that “they should allow” the president to fulfill these promises, expressing regret that “centres of power are not assisting” the president, even though the people support him.

A number of reformists have accused the Rohani administration of not giving priority to domestic politics, criticizing his ministries of culture and the interior. The Rohani administration is also being criticized by some reformist camps for not securing the release of the opposition leaders under house arrest.